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FROM THE CROWE’S NEST
The picture is not good according to the ASMFC in southern New England. That part of New England has seen dramatic reductions in landings and the number of active fishermen. While some southern New England fishermen have disputed the data for their area in the assessment, landings are a pretty good indicator. Persistent dramatic changes cannot be ignored in this case. The kinds of problems, low recruitment and disease, which many now see as the probable causes for reduced landings, could become ours as well. The two things that separate the central Maine coast from southern New England, in addition thankfully to about 300 miles, is water temperature and water pollution from coastal development. Global water temperature increases are not likely to change soon, but coastal development policy in Maine can begin to change tomorrow morning, if there is the will. That is the way life should be. Tossing an empty oil container overboard is illegal, but building acres of pavement with the subsequent runoff, lawn chemicals, and the toxic soup of development running into bays appears practically encouraged. This is a changeable reality. It should be noted that the Maine lobster fishery, with its long history conservancy by its fishermen, can be credited in large part for the health of the Maine stock. Atlantic coast landings reached an historic high of 89 million pounds in 1999. That is more than three times the 25 million pounds common in the 1940’s and 50’s. There are fewer predators and better management technology today. Against this are the threats above that were not there in the 1940’s and 1950’s. But the effects of reduced predator cod and better stewardship weighed against warmer water, pollution and disease may not be a wash for the long term health of the fishery here. Some thought and action may be in order. |
